The New York Rangers have assigned rookie forward Pavel Buchnevich to the AHL.
The move is likely related to the acquisition of Brendan Smith from Detroit. The Rangers needed to open up a roster spot, and Buchnevich can be sent down without waivers.
That being said, Buchnevich has just one assist in his last 12 games, and he’s been a healthy scratch a couple of times in the last week. So if he plays for Hartford, it could also be a move to get him back on the ice and, hopefully, bolster his confidence.
The 21-year-old Russian has six goals and nine assists in 26 NHL games this season.